Updat From DHQ:  Troops Neutralises Over82 Terrorists, Arrest 198, Rescue 93 Kidnapped Hostages.

By Helen Udo, Outlook Media ABUJA.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said its troops  neutralised over 82 terrorists, arrested 198  others and rescued 93 kidnapped hostages on February 2025 in the country.

During the week under review, troops of the Armed Forces conducted joint operation with the ONSA team, security agencies and hybrid forces. These operations include; fighting and confidence building patrols, raids, ambushes and clearance as well as search and rescue operations.

In a statement signed by  Major General Markus Kangye
,Director Defence Media Operations on Thursday in Abuja said “In the cause of the operations, they neutralized several terrorists, apprehended their collaborators, rescued kidnapped victims and received surrendered terrorists. Gunrunners, oil theft collaborators and other violent extremists were also apprehended. They also, conducted several close air supports, armed reconnaissance patrols as well as air interdiction missions. 
 
According to Maj. General Kangye” For instance, between 14 – 21 February 2025, a total of 82 terrorists were neutralized while 198 suspected others were arrested. Troops also apprehended 22 perpetrators of oil theft and rescued 93 kidnapped hostages.

   In the South South region, troops foiled oil theft estimated to the tune of about Five Hundred and Eighty Seven Million, One Hhundred and Ninety Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira (N587,190,740.00) only. The breakdown includes: 366,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 117,320 litres of illegally refined AGO and 600 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed, 38 crude oil cooking ovens, 27 dugout pits, 22 boats, 2 speedboats, 60 storage tanks, 34 drums and 32 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 3 pumping machines, one
tricycles, 3 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and 2 vehicles among others. Troops
arrested 22 oil thieves, recovered 2 and 152 assorted arms and ammunition as well
as 5 magazines among others.

    In a related development, troops recovered 86 and 2,040 assorted weapons and ammunition respectively. These includes, 46 AK47 rifles, 18 locally fabricated guns, 19 dane guns, 3 pump action guns, 1,165 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 128 rounds
of 7.62mm NATO, 600 rounds of 7.62 x 12.7mm ammo, 51 cartridges as well as
other 3 assorted arms and 96 assorted ammunitions.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI recorded the following successes during the week under review:

a. Surrender of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists. Between 13 – 19 February 2025, a total of 41 terrorists comprising 10 adult males, 12 adult females and 19 children surrendered to troops within the theatre of operation. They surrendered with one PKT gun, one AK 47 Rifle with 2 magazines, one AK 101 Rifle with 2 magazines, 135 rounds of 7.62 x 54mm ammo, 59 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammo and 28 rounds of 5.56mm ammo.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 12 – 17 February 2025, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, conducted offensive operations including ambushes, fighting patrols, raid and clearance operations in Damboa, Marte and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State as well as Damaturu LGA of Yobe State. Terrorists also infiltrated troops location but successfully rappelled by own troops in Marte. During the operations, 14 terrorists were neutralized, 2 were apprehended, while 11 kidnapped hostages were rescued. They also recovered 11 Ak47 rifles, 3 dane guns, one locally fabricated rifle, 600 rounds of 12.7mm ammo, 128 rounds
of 7.62 mm NATO, 3 magazines and 2 mobile phones.
c. Arrest of Suspected ISWAP Terr Collaborator. From 13 – 17 February 2025, in separate offensive patrols, troops in conjunction with Hybrid Forces intercepted and arrested 14 BH/ISWAP terrorist collaborators in Biu, Baga, Monguno, Kukawa and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State. The sum of N50,000.00 only and 4 mobile phones and other household items were recovered from them.

Troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA recorded the following during the week under review:

a. Offensive Operations.   Between 12 – 17 February 2025, troops conducted offensive operations including fighting patrols, clearance operations and responded to distress calls about terrorists activities in  Zurmi, Anka, Shinkafi and Maru LGAs of Zamfara State as well as Isa, Sabon Birni and Tangaza LGAs of Sokoto State. They further conducted offensive operation in Danmusa LGA of Katsina State.  Troops raided and cleared terrorists hibernating areas in Kachia and Arewa LGAs of Kaduna and Kebbi States respectively. Following a fire fight, 21 terrorists were neutralized, 6 were arrested while 60 kidnapped hostages were rescued. 13 AK47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 3 dane guns, one pump action, 77 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 96 PKT links, 57 rounds of 7.62mm x 39mm ammo and 30 live cartridges were recovered. 10 motorcycles, 6 mobile phones and 2 magazines were also recovered. 
e. Terrorists Activities.    On 12 and 16 February 2025, troops responded to information about terrorists activities in Maru, Magami and Sabon Birni LGAs of Zamfara and Sokoto States. On arrival, 3 terrorists were neutralized  while 5 victims were rescued. 2 AK47 rifles, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 41 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo and one vehicle were recovered. 
g. Arrest of Terrorists. On 16 February 2025, following intelligence reports, troops intercepted and arrested one terrorist and 3 sympathizers in Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara and Illela LGA of Sokoto State respectively. 

In the week under review, troops successfully achieved the following in Operation WHIRL PUNCH:

a. Offensive Operations.   Between 13 – 15 February 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Ovia North East and Benin City LGAs of Edo State and  Akure North LGA Ondo State. They also conducted similar operation in Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT, Abuja. During the operations 5 criminals were neutralized, 32 were arrested while 2 kidnapped victims were rescued. They recovered one AK47 rifle, 2 locally fabricated rifles, 2 dane guns, one pump action, 53 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9 live cartridges, 4 motorcycles, 3 mobile phones and the sum of N419,000.00 only among others.
b. Arrest.  
(1) Between 12 – 17 February 2025, following credible intelligence, troops arrested 14 criminals in Patigi  and Ifelodun LGAs of  Kwara State as well as Bwari Area Council of FCT, Abuja. One Ak47 riflfe, one dane gun, 12 live cartridges, 4 mobile phones and large quantity of cannabis were recovered from the criminals.
(2) On 13 and 15 February 2025, troops while conducting counter/anti kidnapping and criminality operations responded to distress call about kidnappers activities in Ileja, Ose and Akoko South East LGAs of Ondo State as well as Owan West LGA of Edo State. During the operations, arrested 3 kidnappers, rescued 7 victims and recovered one vehicle.

During the period under review, troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN conducted the following operations:

a. Arrests.     Between 12 – 17 February 2025, troops responded to information about activities of violent extremists/criminals, arrested 26 of them in Jos North, Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs of Plateau State as well as Zangon Kataf and Jaba LGAs of Kaduna State. During the operations, one AK47 rifle, one locally fabricated rifle and 6 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 9 motorcycles and peers of military uniforms were recovered.
b. Offensive Operations. Between 14 – 16 February 2025, troops responded to distress calls about violent extremist/kidnappers activities Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South Pankshin LGAs of Plateau State as well as Jema’a LGA of Kaduna State.  During the operations, troops neutralized 3 extremists, arrested 19 of them and rescued 5 kidnapped hostages. Troops also recovered one AK47 rifles, 18 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 3 vehicles, 12 mobile phones and the sum of N1,136,000.00 only from kidnappers.

Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE recorded the following during the period under review: 

a. Arrests. On 12 and 17 February 2025, troops responded to information about activities of gunrunning syndicate/kidnappers and arrested 2 criminals in Bali and Logo LGAs of Taraba and Benue States respectively. The sum of N1,300,000.00 was recovered from the kidnappers.
b. Raid Operation.      On 15 February 2025, troops raided an illegal mining site in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State and arrested 51 persons. Furthermore, 2 trucks, 20 motorcycles, one compressor pump, 24 mobile phones and some quantities of mined precious stones comprising gold and lithium stone were recovered.

Troops of Operation DELTA SAFE maintained momentum against the activities of crude oil thieves. Troops destroyed several illegal refining sites and recovered stolen products. Details as follows:

a. Troops Destroy Illegal Refining Sites. Troops recovered 366,530 litres of stolen crude oil, 117,320 litres of illegally refined AGO and 600 litres of DPK. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 38 crude oil cooking ovens, 27 dugout pits, 22 boats, 2 speedboats, 60 storage tanks, 34 drums and 32 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include 3 pumping machines, one
tricycles, 3 motorcycles, 5 mobile phones and 2 vehicles among others. Troops arrested 22 oil thieves, recovered 2 and 152 assorted and ammunition as well
as 5 magazines.
b. Arrests.   From 11 – 18 February 2025, troops responded to activities of pipeline vandals and other criminal elements in Nembe and Sapele LGAs of Bayelsa and Delta States as well as Essien Udim and Biase LGAs of A/Ibom and Cross River State. During the operations, a notorious criminal identified as Senator and 4 others were arrested while 2 AK47 rifles, one locally made
pistol, 5 magazines, 152 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 16 cartridges, 7 mobile phones, 2 motorcycles and the sum of N309,100.00 only were recovered.
c. Offensive Operations. On 13 and 17 February 2025, in separate offensive operations, troops made contact with criminals in sapele and Onelga LGAs of Delta and Rivers States as well as Ikot Ekpene LGA of A/Ibom State. During the operations, 9 criminals were arrested.

He said that Troops of Operation UDO KA recorded the following during the week under review:
a. Offensive Operations. From 11 – 15 February 2025, troops made contact with IPOB/ESN terrorists in Njaba, Mbaitoli and Orsu LGAs of Imo State as well as Ishielu and Isuikwuato LGAs of Ebonyi and Abia States respectively. Following a fire fight, 2 extremists were arrested and rescued 2 kidnapped hostages. 2 vehicles, 5 CCTVs and IDs were recovered.
d. Arrest. On 12 and 14 February 2025, troops responded to information about terrorists/kidnappers activities and arrested 3 in Onitcha South and Udi LGAs of Enugu States as well as Mbano LGA of Imo State. Over 5 trucks loaded with contraband drugs, 2 vehicles and the sum of N3,400,000.00 were recovered.

Meanwhile, all recovered items, arrested suspects and rescued hostages were handed over to the relevant authorities for further action.

” The gallant men and women of the AFN will continue to carry out constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of all Nigerians in line with our constitutional roles, He said.